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Brampton 2nd Canadian city to ban protests outside places of worship
The city council passed a Bill to iterate the city’s commitment to balance the right to protest with the need for public safety.
File photo. / Reuters
Brampton has become the second city after Vaughan in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) where protests outside places of worship have been legally banned.
The Brampton City Council approved a bylaw prohibiting protests within 100 meters of places of worship to curb the growing incidence of sectarian violence.
Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown moved the Bill in the City Council. It was accepted unanimously. He had announced his intent to bring in a bylaw to keep places of worship free from protests and demonstrations after incidents of violence between sections of the South Asian community hawked media headlines.
Introducing the motion, the Mayor reiterated the city’s commitment to balance the right to protest with the need for public safety. Concerned over the city’s rising sectarian conflicts, he emphasised that immediate action was needed to safeguard worship sites as neutral and safe spaces for all.
Vaughan, neighbouring Brampton, was the first to ban protests within 100 metres of places of worship,, schools, and hospitals. The Vaughan City Council while enacting the bylaw also announced enforcement of strict penalties, including a fine up to $100,000.
Last week, when the Indian Consulate General in Toronto organised a pensioners’ camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, supporters of Khalistan held a protest outside the Temple. The protest led to clashes between pro-Khalistan and pro-India supporters outside the Hindu Sabha Temple.
Subsequently, a group of pro-India supporters took out a counter march towards the Sikh Temple at Malton. The Peel Regional Police intervened and prevented the demonstrators from reaching near the gurdwara. The incidents led to an escalation of community tensions.
The police after its investigations made some arrests besides issuing warrants of arrest for two others after scanning the videos of the incidents.
Patrick Brown posted on X that the Brampton Council has unanimously passed a bylaw to ensure that the ability to pray at a place of worship remains sacred and safe from protest-related disruptions.
“Inspired by similar legislation passed by Vaughan, this bylaw would restrict protests at places of worship. Whether you go to a mandir, a gurdwara, a mosque, a synagogue or a church, everyone deserves the right to pray free of violence, harassment and intimidation.”
Patrick Brown also held that “in this country, we protect the right to protest as long as it does not infringe upon another right”.
The incidents of violence had put extra pressure on the police organisations of the Greater Toronto Area. On November 15 when the Sikh community as joined by various other communities to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of the founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev, the police had made adequate deployment to enhance visible and invisible security.
Besides the large and massive religious gatherings at all Sikh gurdwaras in the Greater Toronto Area, the police organisations, including Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police and the Halton Regional Police were in fully alert mode as Toronto is all set to host a series of six Taylor Swift concerts.
The Chief of Toronto Police Myron Demkiw told media persons that "Swifties of all ages have been eagerly awaiting this moment, and I want residents to know that the Toronto Police Service is committed to ensuring these events are safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
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